Monday, 21 December 2015

Paulette was unable to lead as planned, but Yuko kindly stepped in to show us the way. We paid our usual visit to our farmyard friends and admired a beautiful Japanese rhododendron in full flower. But for the decorations, we could easily have forgotten it was nearly Christmas. Thank you, Yuko, for a lovely walk!

Friday, 18 December 2015

This year's city walk followed a route that we have followed, more or less, before.

We started at Parc station and walked through the parc towards the palace. We progressed down Rue Royale, through Petit Sablon, Parc Egmont, Louise, The Marolles, past the Horta Nursery School, the Brigittines Theatre, the city walls, the Mannekin Pis, Grand Place, St Gery and finally to the Tea Room of the Chocolatier Frederic Blondeel, where we were delighted that Sheila could join us.

The hot chocolate at Blondeel was very rich and delicious, and a few of us were tempted into buying chocolates to take home with us.

Here we are in the Petit Sablon

The traditional photo at the Peter Pan statue in Parc Egmont

A view that we didn't have the last time we did this walk!

Social housing in the Marolles

Found in the Marolles: so you know where to go next time you need a stuffed double-headed calf ...

We all liked this innovative fencing

We walked along the side of this 'Church' which, those not already in the know, where surprised to find is actually a modern theatre!

Another traditional photo!

The 'Breugel Church'

Loved this hat!

Bit obvious but ... the Christmas Tree in the Grand Place ....

and the Creche!

Proof that, contrary to our experiences when walking in the forest, you CAN buy bicycle bells in Belgium!

The chocolate shop of Blondeel - you can see the chocolate making equipment upstairs and at the back of the shop

Friday, 11 December 2015

The luck of the WIC brought us another fine day (shame it failed us on Friday...) and ten of us set out in the sunshine. A good day for a new member to come on her first walk - welcome, Liz!
When we reached the café we found Sheila and her group - five in all - already there, so that made the largest group we've had for a while around one long table. What a pity "someone" forgot to take a photo....oops!